Decatur asking for input on electric vehicle infrastructure after IDOT grant

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Decatur is asking for your advice on where you’d like to charge your car. 

The city got a $300,000 IDOT grant to boost its electric vehicle infrastructure. Now, they’re asking drivers to take a survey on where the money should be spent. 

City officials say Macon County has lagged behind their peers in Central Illinois for EV adoption. 

They’ve also seen a near 600% increase of EVs in the region. The city hopes this survey can help the area take the next step forward by selecting which areas will get chargers.

Deputy City Manager Jon Kindseth said the survey helps the city use the grant money wisely. 

“And so this survey goes to ask people about, you know, ‘What do you know about the vehicles?’” Kindseth said. “‘Have you considered them? Would you consider them? If you do consider them, where would you like to charge? Would you like to charge at public parks, at schools, at your workplace? Do you plan on only charging in your own house?’ All of those types of questions so that we can better understand where does it make sense to have the infrastructure.”

Various city groups have already taken the survey. This includes the chamber of commerce and a slew of neighborhood organizations. It’s now open to the public. The city will keep the survey open until May 15th. If you want your input to be heard — head to the online survey at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YCMNPRX